Green Charge Networks (New York), a smart grid engineering company, on Monday announced the launch of an energy storage and management device that stores energy locally during periods of low use, and augments grid power with stored energy during peak demand.

The device, GreenStation, can be used by commercial facilities such as grocery and convenience stores, fast-food chains, hotels and parking garages. According to Green Charge Networks, this technology helps avoid usage peaks that cause expensive charges on the electricity bill, while enabling value adds such as electric vehicle (EV) charging.

"While the majority of energy management companies force changes in energy usage patterns, for example by regulating store temperature remotely, GreenStation uses the natural highs and lows in energy usage patterns of any facility to its own benefit," said Ron Prosser, President and CEO of Green Charge Networks. "By providing demand response on previously dispersed, fixed and difficult-to-manage loads, GreenStation avoids demand charges that can range between $12 and $20 per kW of power. This significantly reduces the monthly electric bill."

"Utilities around the country are starting to experience the effect of growing EV adoption," said Vic Shao, CTO of Green Charge Networks. "Often, the increase in electrical load is necessitating upgrades ranging from the electrical panels to the transformer itself. Infrastructure upgrades involving utility transformers could easily exceed $20,000 for one location."

In addition to storing energy during usage lows, Green Charge Networks says GreenStation can also store energy from renewable generation, such as solar and wind.